hardware advice please?

[233SQN]

I am looking at purchasing a new system, and not being "in the know" would welcome advice on:

Is a dual core processor a must? (not even sure what the difference is!)

AMD or Pentium or does it really matter?

I recall that Nvidia 6800GT was fairly well rated... but how does Geforce 7300LE 256 compare?

What is a good budget video card?

Is there a good choice in the Dell range for around £600?

advice appreciated!

[Garry Russell]

I'm no expert but as far as I am aware AMD is the best for gaming, graphics etc and Pentium for other applications.

I have a NVidia 7800GT and although it does not answer your question directly I am very happy with it

Charlie Bravo is our resident expert and he will no doubt answer your question fully. He knows his stuff for sure


Garry

[RAF_Quantum]

Hi Garry,

I think with the latest Intel Core-Duo cpu's they've knocked AMD off the top spot for gamers choice. I'm sure someone else can confirm that or not, but I'm certainly looking at an Intel Core-Duo for my next upgrade.

Rgds

John

[ianhind]

Garry,

Even CB recommended an Intel dual core recently :shock:

When he comes on, I'm sure he will update his last suggestion.

Useful for people to ask every now and then to get an update

[jonesey2k]

AMD "used" to be the gaming king, but Intels Core 2 Duo wipes the floor with AMD in allmost all respects. AMD's chips are by no means slow! but the core 2 duos are faster.
In the graphics department you cant go wrong with any of the modern pcie cards like the 7800/X1800XT or the newer 7900/X1950. If you have got the money, then the DX10 8800GT/GTX is out now.

[speedbird591]

I read that FS2004 does not use both processors on a dual-core, therefore it will only run at the speed of one processor.
There is a work-round apparently: http://flyawaysimulation.com/postp142516.html

I don't think FSX uses both processors yet, either. I've seen it mentioned that a patch or the Vista upgrade is intended to activate it.

Google 'flight simulator dual core' for more words on the subject.

Ian

[airboatr]

read an artical on the up and comming quad core processors
Intel will build two dual core processors piggyback style and
AMD will build it on the same level (One Chip) of silicon
premature to say but the AMD will be the faster processor
<<so said the experts commenting>>>
also FSX will take advantage of the quad cores
but that will remain to be seen
Best wishes on your choice
http://www.eggheadcafe.com/software/asp ... ta-so.aspx
an excerpt
The chips are among the most powerful in Intel's stable, and are built by sticking two
dual-core chips together in a single package. Dell of Round Rock, Texas, is the No. 2 PC
maker after Hewlett-Packard Co.
Intel launched its quad-core chips ahead of schedule as it tries to stop market-share
gains by rival Advanced Micro Devices, which beat Intel to the punch with dual-core chips.

AMD plans to launch a quad-core chip by the middle of next year, and claims it will
perform better than Intel's current offerings because all the cores will be on a single
piece of silicon rather than two dual-cores stuck together.


a few more returns from google
AMD vs Intel quad core
http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1 ... 896,00.asp
http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1 ... 650,00.asp

[VEGAS]

I read that FS2004 does not use both processors on a dual-core, therefore it will only run at the speed of one processor.
There is a work-round apparently: http://flyawaysimulation.com/postp142516.html

I don't think FSX uses both processors yet, either. I've seen it mentioned that a patch or the Vista upgrade is intended to activate it.

Google 'flight simulator dual core' for more words on the subject.

Ian

Thanks for the HU Ian. I have just bought a new Laptop with dual core and I never knew this! :shock:

Will give it a whirl

[Charlie Bravo]

Hi chaps,

I've just spent an hour or so trying to put a spec together working to a budget of £600.
I've been comparing my spec to that of the Dells offerings and I'm not impressed with what they have.

Anyway, both specs are over budget at £631 & £691 but if you want a PC for FS it's not worth going any lower.

PC 1 - Dual Core

Case
Antec NSK4400
£50.51
CPU
Intel C2D E6300
£135.11
Mobo
Asrock Conroe945G-DVI
£54.04
RAM
Geil 1Gb DDRII
£93.99
Graphics
OcUK GeForce 7300 GT
£58.74
HDD
Samsung Spinpoint 250Gb
£52.86
DVDRW
NEC AD7170A
£23.49
TFT
Hyundai ImageQuest B71A
£129.19
Mouse
Logitech S96
£6.46
Keyboard
Logitech Deluxe
£7.04
Speakers
Creative SBS Vivid 60
£18.09
Windows XP
Win XP Home OEM
£62.26

£691.38


PC 2- Single Core

Case
Antec NSK4400
£50.51
CPU
AMD Athlon 64 3800+
£82.24
Mobo
Asrock ALiveNF4G-DVI
£46.99
RAM
Geil 1Gb DDRII
£93.99
Graphics
OcUK GeForce 7300 GT
£58.74
HDD
Samsung Spinpoint 250Gb
£52.86
DVDRW
NEC AD7170A
£23.49
TFT
Hyundai ImageQuest B71A
£129.19
Mouse
Logitech S96
£6.46
Keyboard
Logitech Deluxe
£7.04
Speakers
Creative SBS Vivid 60
£18.09
Windows XP
Win XP Home OEM
£62.26

£631.86

The Dell PC's will give you slower RAM and an awful graphics card (either an Nvidia 7300LE or an ATI X1300Pro)
The 7300GT is the best budget card at present.

[233SQN]

Thanks gents for your replies.... especially Charlie Bravo for going to the trouble of spec'ing up a system....I'm off to speak with my tame PC building mate....